Chapter 14 Festivities

It was then I noticed Agawa had changed out of her tracksuit into a bright yellow sequin dress. It produced numerous iridescent strands of light that swirled around her body with each motion. If I could describe her with a single phrase, she was the Sun incarnated.

"You know Agawa," I stroked my chin, "I'm a little surprised."

"You're surprised?" she tilted her head and stared at me with visible confusion. "About what?"

"You didn't really strike me as the type that would wear fancy clothes like that."

She projected a soft pout, and her cheeks were tinted a rosy red. "Well, excuse me for trying something fancy! Even if it doesn't look good, I still want to try a dress at least once in my life!"

Sighing, she looked down, and pinched the waist of her dress from both sides. "I guess I should stick with a boyish tracksuit, huh?!"

'Did I say that it didn't look good?' It was now my difficulty talking with others reared its ugly head. I had no idea what I said, but a compliment solves all, right?

"I wouldn't say the dress doesn't look good on you. It isn't very practical, but it's aesthetically pleasing."

"'Aesthetically pleasing?' You," her blush became a blank stare, "really suck at giving compliments, don't you?"

Her words were painfully familiar. Throughout my life, there were many occasions where I had to praise someone, but, more often than not, my attempts ended the same. "Yeah, I might've been told that once or twice…." I couldn't stop there; her stare seemed to see right through me, "or several times."

For a few moments, she maintained her blank stare. However, that soon changed when she burst out in laughter, likely at my expense. It wasn't bad, though… I guess? Her aura of cheer affected me, given how I chuckled too.

"Anyways," I tried to change the subject, "why haven't you partnered with anyone? I doubt it's because of a lack of suitors."

"Oh, that," she avoided eye contact. "Don't laugh, okay?"

"I'll try not to," I replied with a tone of sarcasm.

She shot me an unsatisfied glare.

"Okay, I promise I won't," I reaffirmed.

"Uh. Well…" she hesitated and fidgeted her fingers together. During her pause, her eyes darted in every direction to avoid mine. "I…uh…can't really dance well…Or, well…at all."

I didn't laugh, but what I did was possibly worse. I stared at her in disbelief that she was worried about something so minor. Especially considering our current situation.

"C'mon," she furrowed her brow in frustration and blushed, "I know I told you not to laugh, but you've got to do something. Anything!"

I sighed and smiled. "Sorry, I couldn't help but admire your honesty."

"My HONESTY? Are you messing with me?!" she irritatedly crossed her arms.

It perplexed me. Though her words seemed frustrated, her face gave way to a subtle smile. Did she like what I said, or didn't she? I wondered if people were always this complicated. Either way, in trying to mend my blunder, I apologized while making an easing gesture. "Sorry, I wasn't try-"

"Look at you! You're so serious!" Agawa erupted in laughter again, hunching over and holding her sides.

When she finally ceased, she straightened her back and continued. "You know, I think I can kind of understand you now. Not only do you suck at compliments, but you're also pretty bad with social cues." she pointed her finger at me as if to lecture. "You're not a very good talker, are you?"

Flashbacks of a thousand failed conversations appeared in my mind. "Yeah, I guess I'm better at fighting than talking," I shrugged.

"Well, aren't you the stoic soldier!" Agawa giggled, then sighed. "Well, it can't be helped," she said with a playful grin, "I'll forgive you."

"I appreciate that," I chuckled back. Her words relieved my weary mind. With that resolved, I returned to the matter at hand.

Realizing we were in the same boat, I considered inviting her to my loitering session with Takagi. Plus, the crowd was becoming denser over where we were standing, so we had to move anyway.

"I was heading to Takagi. Did you want to jo-"

"Would you dance with me?!" she exclaimed, clutching the base of her neck.

"...What?" Though it was a simple request, it took time to register it.

"Would you dance with me?" she repeated.

"But… didn't you just tell me you were bad at it?" I gave a hesitant grin, and my eyes twitched in confusion.

"Yeah, So? Just because I'm bad at something doesn't mean I'll avoid it. That's how you learn, you know?"

I appreciated the offer; I really did. But dancing wasn't part of my job description. Throwing and catching bullets? That was something I'd do. But swaying to music and leaving myself completely vulnerable? That wasn't something I wanted at all. Besides, I couldn't dance, so the excuse I'd use wouldn't be a lie.

"Uh," I scratched my ear, "I appreciate the offer, but you're probably better off partnering with someone else."

"Ah, you refuse to partner with a novice, huh?" she smirked. "I didn't realize Sato, the Soldier was such an elitist!"

"No, no, no. Not at all," I waved my hands in disagreement.

"Then why?" she asked, crossing her arms and tapping a finger on her arm.

"It's just that," I paused, "dancing isn't really in my skill set either, so you won't get any good experience with me." Having said that, I thought for sure she'd reevaluate her decision.

Only she didn't…

Her face became puzzled. "Experience? When did I say that I was going for that? The fact that you're a novice makes you an even more ideal partner!"

I was shocked at what she'd said. "Why would my being bad at dancing make me a good partner?" The idea made no sense to me. If I were learning to shoot, I'd want a veteran to teach me, not an amateur.

"It'd be embarrassing to dance with someone that knows what they're doing," she smiled. "I'd rather dance with you, especially since I could blame any fumbles on you."  She finalized her statement by offering me her hand. "So…would you dance with me?"

'I really think you should reconsider, Miss,' is what I wanted to say. However, the vigilant stares from dozens of mansion staff made me reconsider. Maybe by indulging in some of these festivities, I could shake the staff's suspicion and find another chance to escape.

"Well, if you insist," I feigned a smile and took her hand. "Don't blame me if I step on your toes, though."

She giggled in response. "I'll be sure to step on yours, too, if you do!"